From Oban they went to Invergordon, Tobermory, and Stornoway. But the weather-god of the Hebrides is an unrestful sort of person, and treated them to a little of the bluster which he always has up his sleeve, even in the summer months; and before they arrived at Milford Haven, on July 5th, a good many of the cadets had had a good opportunity of getting their “sea-legs.”
All naval officers who have visited Scotland in their cruises carry away pleasing recollections of much kindness and hospitality, and the experience of the officers and cadets on board the Isis formed no exception to the rule.
The Aurora, meanwhile, sailing on the same day, visited Guernsey, Yarmouth (Isle of Wight), Weymouth, Torquay, Falmouth, the Scilly Isles, Kingstown, Bangor, Lamlash Bay (in the Isle of Arran), thence to the Isle of Man, and finally to Milford Haven, where they found their “opposite number,” the Isis, and compared notes as to their respective cruises.
It is quite obvious, from the tone of the letters from the two ships, that these cruises, teeming as they do with opportunities of acquiring valuable knowledge and experience, are also a source of much pleasure and enjoyment to the lads.
It is recorded in the magazine that the captain has started a shooting class among the cadets of the senior term; giving preference to those who have not had an opportunity at home of using a fowling piece. Clay pigeons are provided, and the cadets are instructed in all the precautions which should be used when out shooting, so as to minimise the risk of accident. This is an excellent idea, and the boys ought to be very grateful to Captain Cross for originating it. Every shooting season has its tale of accidents, many of them arising from an utter disregard of precautions and lack of common sense; opportunities often occur of shooting on foreign stations, and the experience gained with the clay pigeons at Dartmouth will come in handy afterwards, no doubt. The practice of dragging a loaded gun through a hedge is responsible for many deaths, the culprit being usually also the victim; and the extraordinary things that people who are supposed to be experts in the use of fire-arms will do sometimes are almost incredible. Let us hope that these young gentlemen, being forewarned, will learn the value of caution and common sense in the use of both sporting and service weapons; not forgetting the revolver, which, in the hands of careless or incompetent persons, is the most dangerous weapon of all.
The King’s Birthday “whole” was curtailed to a “half” in 1903, owing to the presence of scarlet fever in Dartmouth; but, as it was held on June 26th, the day was long, and was well filled up. Three cricket matches, a picnic of about 140 up the river, and a sea-fishing party of forty or fifty comprised the entertainments, which were all eminently successful. The fishermen were piloted by Mr. James, of Dartmouth, to an ideal fishing ground, where they hauled up many big fish, including huge conger eels—which often give exciting sport by their antics when landed, getting mixed up with all the tackle in the boat, and going for the fishermen open-mouthed when they endeavour to disentangle them—rock-cod, and other marine monsters; they also had a parallel experience with that of the apostolic fisherman of old, for, though they were not using nets, one of their best lines broke from the weight of fish upon it.
The spot selected by this acute Dartmouth gentleman presents a strong contrast to some places which are marked “good fishing” on the Admiralty charts, where, indeed, the words hold good in an ironical sense, for you may fish all day there; but, whether your fishing be good, bad, or indifferent, there is no “catching”!
Before proceeding to describe the arrangements which are to supersede the old Britannia course, it may be interesting to give a few figures showing the numbers who have passed through the ship. These are not available earlier than January 1st, 1862.
Since that date the number of cadets actually entered, up to the close of 1902, is 5,009; the number who have presented themselves for final examination out of the ship, from December, 1862, to August, 1903, is 4,741; and out of these there have been 151 failures—3·1 per cent.
This is not a large percentage over so long a period; but taking the last ten years separately there is a very marked improvement, 1,770 cadets examined giving only 27 failures, or 1½ per cent.; and the last five examinations—up to August, 1903—have brought no failures.